Sustainable Energy Careers Outlook

The sustainable energy industry is growing in the number and type of positions – and in wages! It is estimated that 4.5 million new positions will be created by 2020 and wages are above-average for energy efficiency and solar energy workers.¹ This presents a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in learning about sustainable energy and pursuing a career in related industries.
 
“Sustainable Energy” refers to a resource that is renewable and has at least a carbon neutral footprint, such as solar or wind energy. “Renewable Energy,” although a requirement of sustainable energy, may not be sustainable depending on how it is used. For example, biomass such as trees are considered a renewable energy source; however, if consumed faster than replenished, then this renewable resource is not considered to be used sustainably. Therefore, a sustainable energy system is one that can generate clean energy indefinitely with a net-zero carbon footprint.  Jobs in this field have various terms such as sustainable energy, renewable energy, clean energy, etc. They all work towards moving away from non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels.
 

Sizing Sustainable Energy Jobs:

The sustainable energy industry is expected to grow as the demand for electricity increases with population. Several states have plans to reduce their carbon emissions, and multinational companies such as Apple, Facebook, Google, and IKEA are committed renewable electricity². EcoLeaders who are interested in getting involved in the sustainable energy industry, whether it is in research and development, education, or the actual application of renewable energy systems, have potential to obtain high-earning positions.

A recent study, Now Hiring: The growth of America’s clean energy and sustainability jobs, found that wind and solar jobs are growing 20% annually - 12 times faster than the economy! Renewable energy jobs are typically found in these major sectors:

• Bioenergy (429,000)
• Solar (208,000)
• Wind (88,000)
• Geothermal (35,000)
• Data Analysis (8,000)³

For jobs by sub-technologies, view full report.

Salaries for Sustainable Energy Jobs:

Across the country and around the world, there are many businesses and organizations that specialize in one or more of the technologies listed above, and depending on the level of education and specialty, the corresponding salaries for these opportunities can range quite a bit.

The average annual salary for a System Installer is about $40,000, while an engineer (e.g. Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, etc.) would earn around $70,000.⁴  Senior engineering and managerial positions have earning potential $100,000 annually.⁵

Required Education and Certifications:

If you want to get involved in the sustainable energy field, there are many great opportunities available at the certification level, which is usually the quickest and lowest cost entry point into the sustainable energy field. Certifications will enable you to install certain technologies as well as to provide consultations on these technologies.

Associate degree programs can also provide an excellent foundation for getting into the renewable energy industry. To gain a senior-level position, a bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, and related fields fulfills most education requirements. Most employers seek candidates with experience in the field rather than advanced degrees. Advance degrees can, of course, be useful but aren’t usually necessary to break into this emergent field.

Examples of Certification Programs Related to Sustainable Energy Careers

• Lansing Community College | Alternative Energy Engineering Technology (certificate)
• Arizona State University | Sustainable Technology and Management (certificate)
• Johns Hopkins University | Climate Change, Energy, and Environmental Sustainability (Advanced Certificate for Post-Master's Study) 
• Portland State University | Sustainability (Graduate Certificate)

Examples of Academic Programs Related to Sustainable Energy Careers

• Portland Community College | Renewable Energy Systems Associate of Applied Science
• San Juan College | Tribal Energy Management Studies Associate of Applied Science
• John Brown University | Engineering with  Renewable Energy Concentration (B.S.)
• Villanova University | Sustainable Engineering (M.S.)
• University of Wisconsin-Madison | Sustainable Systems Engineering (M.S.)
• Stanford University | Environmental Engineering with Atmosphere/Energy Designation (M.S.) 
• Texas State University | Sustainability Studies (M.S.)
• Arizona State University |Sustainability Solutions (M.S. or M.A.)
• Yale University | Master of Environmental Management 
• Rochester Institute of Technology  | Sustainable Engineering (M.E.)
• Golisano Institute for Sustainability  | Sustainable Systems (M.S.)
• University of Pittsburgh at Bradford | Construction Management & Sustainability (Ph.D.)
• Washington University in St. Louis | Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering (Ph.D.)

 

Sustainable Energy Project Examples from the NWF Sustainability Database:

Sustainable Energy EcoTopic Page - Start here to find lots of resources for you to start and share your own Campus or Community Energy EcoProject in the EcoLeaders community! Or find inspiration from the following projects that other EcoLeaders have done:

• Ecotech Institute – Colorado: Ecotech Institute is the first and only college entirely focused on preparing students for careers in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable design—the environmental jobs of the new green economy.
• Mercyhurst University – Pennsylvania: In Spring 2012, Mercyhurst University held its very first energy challenge between three freshmen dorms. The purpose of the “Laker Energy Challenge” was to encourage each of the dorms to conserve as much electricity as possible in a two week period.
• Appalachian State University – North Carolina: Students from the ASU Renewable Energy Initiative (REI) designed, installed and funded a $45,000 renewable energy project consisting of two photovoltaic and solar thermal systems. These systems are used as hands-on educational labs and provide valuable research opportunities.
• Thomas Nelson Community College – Virginia: TNCC installed two solar panels to two motorcycle storage containers (a part of the campus's motorcycle safety courses) that are located adjacent to a campus parking lot. The panels provide energy for lights inside the containers, motorcycle battery chargers, and ventilation for the container.
• Middlebury College – Vermont: In January 2012, Middlebury College announced plans to build a solar farm consisting of 34 solar trackers, this array will produce an average of 200,000 kilowatt-hours annually. Students provided the initial impetus and research behind this project, which continues to demonstrate the importance of student interest and action with sustainability on campus.
   

RESOURCES:

1. "Clean Energy Jobs: Trends and Potential Growth.” Environmental and Energy Study Institute. Retrieved on August 2, 2017.
2. “Clean Energy Trends 2017: Corporate Commitments, Subnational Leadership, and Clean Energy Jobs.” Renewable Energy World. Retrieved on August 2, 2017. 
3. "Now Hiring: The Growth of America’s Clean Energy & Sustainability Jobs.” Environmental Defense Fund. Retrieved on August 2, 2017
4. Average Salary for Industry: Renewable Energy Power Generation.”. Pay Scale. Retrieved on August 3, 2017
5. Ibid. Retrieved on August 3, 2017.

By: Dmitry Liapitch, NWF EcoLeader Fellow 2015 and Christina Lopez, NWF EcoLeader Fellow 2017